IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 857 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 12 through 

16, 2016 as ‘‘National Family Service Learning Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 

Mr. YARMUTH (for himself and Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 

and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the week of September 

12 through 16, 2016 as ‘‘National Family Service Learning Week’’. 

Whereas the term ‘‘family service learning’’ means a method 

under which children and families learn and solve problems together in a multi-generational approach with active participation in thoughtfully organized service that— 

(1) is conducted in and meets the needs of their 

community; 

(2) is focused on children and families solving community issues together; 

(3) applies college and career readiness skills for 

children and relevant workforce training skills for adults; 

and 


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(4) is coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or family/ 

community organization, and the community; 

Whereas family service learning is— 

(1) multi-generational learning that involves parents, 

children, caregivers, and extended family members in 

shared learning experiences in both physical and digital 

environments; 

(2) integrated into and enhances the academic 

achievement of the children or the educational components of a family service program in which the families 

may be enrolled; and 

(3) encompasses skills such as investigation, planning and preparation, action, reflection, demonstration of 

results, and sustainability; 

Whereas family service learning has been shown to have positive two-generational effects and invests families in their 

communities to improve both economic and societal wellbeing; 

Whereas through service learning, children and families are 

offered the opportunity to solve community issues and 

learn together, thereby enabling the development of life 

and career skills, such as flexibility and adaptability, initiative and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, 

productivity and accountability, leadership and responsibility; 

Whereas family service learning activities provide opportunities for families to improve essential skills such as organization, research, planning, reading and writing, technology, teamwork, and sharing; 


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Whereas families participating together in service are afforded quality time learning about their communities; 

Whereas adults engaged in family service learning serve as 

positive role models for their children; 

Whereas service learning projects enable low-income families 

to build substantive connections with their community, 

develop a stronger sense of self-worth, experience a reduction in social isolation, and improve parenting skills; 

Whereas service learning has added benefits for non-native 

English speakers as participation helps them to feel less 

like outsiders and more accepted in the United States; 

Whereas family service learning is particularly important for 

families at risk because it provides the opportunity for 

marginalized populations to develop future leadership opportunities, civic engagement, and the capacity to more 

effectively advocate for children and families’ needs; and 

Whereas the value that parents place on civic engagement 

and relationships within the community has been shown 

to transfer to the child who, in turn, replicates values 

such as responsibility, empathy, and caring for others: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Fam3 ily Service Learning Week’’ to raise public aware4 ness about the importance of family service learning, 

5 family literacy, community service, and two-genera6 tional learning experiences; 


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1 (2) encourages people across the United States 

2 to support family service learning and community 

3 development programs; 

4 (3) recognizes the importance that family serv5 ice learning plays in cultivating family literacy, civic 

6 engagement, and community investment; and 

7 (4) calls upon public, private, and nonprofit en8 tities to support family service learning opportunities 

9 to aid in the advancement of families. 

Æ 


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